Horizontal tank-type suction cleaner



Nov. 29, 1960 R. Dx-:scARRlEs HORIZONTAL TANK-TYPE SUCTION CLEANER 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24, 1958 Nov. 29, 1960 Filed sept. 221. 195eR. DESCARRIES HORIZONTAL TANK-TYPE sUcTIoN CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Nov. 29, 1960 R. DEscARRxEs 2,951,688

vHORIZONTL TANK-TYPE SUCTION CLEANER Filed sept. 24, 195e 4 sheets-sheet3 INVENTOR.

L' fm/ff BY @45AM/1 Nov. 29, 1960 R. DEscARRlEs HORIZONTAL TANK-TYPEsucTIoN CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 2.4, 1958 United StatesPatent() HORIZGNTAL TANK-TYPE SUCTION CLEANER Raymond Descarries,Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as-

signor to Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation ofSweden Filed Sept. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 763,001

8 Claims. (Cl. 15--323) This invention relates to suction cleaners andis espe- Y cover illustrated in Figs. and 6;

cially concerned with horizontal tank-type suction cleaners.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved horizontaltank-type suction cleaner provided with a spool-shaped cord-carryingstructure which is disposed lengthwise of the cleaner at one endthereof.

Another object is to provide an improved horizontal tank-type suctioncleaner having a spool-shaped cordcarrying structure at one end thereofwhich forms an end cover of the cleaner.

A Ifurther object is to provide an improved horizontal tank-type suctioncleaner having a pivotally mounted oord-carrying structure at one endthereof which forms an end -cover of the cleaner. A still further objectis to provide an improved suction cleaner of this type having aseparable electrical connection between the pivoted cord-carryingstructure and main body of the cleaner and a releasable fastener forlatching the pivoted cord-carrying structure in its closed position. n Astill further object is to provide an improved suction cleaner of thistype in which therfastener is provided with a holder for detachablyholding the outer free end of a cord wound about the cord-carryingstructure.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, and the features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Y Fig. l is a side elevational view of a suction cleaner embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the cleaner illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the cleaner shown in Figs. 1and 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, partly broken away andin section, of the cleaner shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken at line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View, partly broken away and insection, of the right-hand end of the cleaner shown in Fig. 1 with therear end cover in a partially open position;

' Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, partly broken awayand in section, to illustrate details of the latch shown in Figs. 5 and6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view, -partly lin section, taken atline 8 8 of Fig. 6, to illustrate details more clearly;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical elevational view taken at line 9-9 ofFig. 6;

. Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary vertical sectional Patented Nov. 29,y196() lCC views taken at lines 10-10 and 11-11, respectively, of Fig.5;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the latch in a positionlike that illustrated in Fig. Y7;

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of parts of the rear end Fig. 14 is afragmentary perspective view of parts of the rear end cover toillustrate details more clearly; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at line 15-15 ofFig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown my invention embodied in ahorizontal tank-type suction cleaner 10 comprising a casing 11, a frontend cover 12 and rear end cover 14. The casing 11 is provided with ahandle 15 and wheels 16 and 17 to facilitate movement thereof on asupporting surface, the wheels 17 being at opposing side walls of thecasing and the single caster wheel 16 at the front end of the casingbeing disposed between the side walls of the cleaner.

The front end cover 12, which is removably secured to the casing 11 in`any suitable manner, is formed with an inlet 18 to which a suction hose(not shown) is adapted to be removably connected. Suitable cleaningappliances may be connected to a wand which in turn is connected to theouter free end of the suction hose and through which air flows into thefront end of the casing by a suitable motor-fan unit 19 disposedtherein. Dirt en'trained in air drawn into the inlet 18 is separatedfrom the air when it passes `through a dust collecting member 20, andair from which dirt has been removed is dischargedv from the casing 11through an opening 21 in the rear end cover 14.

Front and rear end rings 22 and 23 are secured to the front and rearends, respectively, of the casing 11 in.. any suitable manner' (notshown). However, the front end ring 22 may be fitted on the casing 11 ina manner simi- Y lar to the end ring 23, as best shown in Fig. 5. The

rear end ring 23, which is suitably fastened to the interior of thecasing 11, is provided with a U-shape groovev24 about the peripherythereof which receives the rear ledge of the casing, the latter beingembedded in suitable sealing material 25 to provide an air-tight joint.

A horizontally extending trim strip 26, which Vs of inverted U-shape intransverse section, is provided at the top of the casing 11. The handle15 is xed to the trim strip 26 which is anchored at one end in anysuitable manner to the front end ring 22 and secured at its opposite endto the casing 11 by a screw 27, as best shown in Fig. 5.

An electrical switch 28 is provided at the top of the casing 11 forcontrolling the supply of electrical energy through conductors 29 and 30to the motorfan unit 19, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The switch 28comprises an insulating base 31 including an open-topped receptacle 31afor housing suitable switch contacts (not shown) which are controlled byla manually operable memberY 32 having a top wall formed of two sectionswhich slope upwardly from a central region ofv the member.4 The member32 rocks up and down about its central region at 33 and extends upwardlythrough an opening 34 in the trim strip 26.

Over the right-hand end of switch base 31 rests an apertured element 35,the latter and extreme right-hand end of 'the -base 31 being formed toprovide a cavity 36 into which extend contact fingers 37 and 38, asillustrated in Figs. 4 and 15. These contact lingers are connected bythe conductors 29 and 30, switch 28 and another conductor 39 to completea circuit across the contact lingers 37 and 38 for the motor-fan unit 19when the switch? ,l operating member 32 is moved to close switch 28. In.Figs. 4 and 5 it will be seen that conductors 29 andf30:

pass into the interior of casing 11 through a grommet 40 fixed in anopening at the top wall of the casing.

The rear end cover 14 is provided with a pair of spaced4 arms, 41 at4the bottom thereoff which project downwardly and also toward the casing11, as best seen in Figs. 2- and` 5v. The lower, ends of the` arms` 41are pivotally connectedy at 4,2'toy a p air of brackets 43 dependingAdownward and formed, integrally with the rear end ring 23. As seen inFigs. 2 and 5,V the rear wheels 17 are also rotatably mounted at 42 tothe` brackets 43. TheI rear end cover 14,V isprovided with an axiallydisposed tubular part or hollow., sleevel 44 which projects forward fromthe rear dischargeopening) 2,1..A A closurel plate 45V for theL rear endcogerf14, having a, central peerig 46 therein, neste. within, the. Openend ef, the end` cover. The closure plate 45,1which may be formed of asuitable plastic material, fop example, cooperates with theferweid. end.ef. the tube 4,4. fer ewins therein air passing frem the.=.e.e.ina1.1..A es, beet Shown. in Fige- 6` a`n`d 13,"the'` closureyplate 45 is apertured` at 4l6b to receive fasteningscrews 47 forsecuring it in position at the open end of the rear end cover 14 thelatter being termed,- Witll threaded; bQSSeS. 46u t0 receiveV thefastening screws, i

Theeever Plate; 45 and rear, end. rir1s23 are. adjacent t0. 011e anotherWhenhe. fear. end eever. 14 iS closed, as seenv in Fig.` 54, a suitablesealing gasket 48 being provided, on the outer face of the cover plate.A suitable filter pad49isE adapted,to,be,positioned between the rear eede'ever elesvre plete 4S.. and. the. rear end ring. 23 which is providedwithal transverse apertured wall 23a. Thesealing gasket 4 8 isl adaptedto hold the peripheral edgel of the lter pad 49 firmly against a rim`23b of the reart end` ring Z3 to. provide-an airtight seal between theseparts when the rear end cover 14 is closed.

The rear end` cover 14 is, provided;with a qui ck, releaseble latch5.0f01 feslelltly hQlding the. rear` end` cover 14. inits. closedposition. Ask-.shown in- Figs. 6` to 1l, the

lateh. eemprieee e.. laten, plate 5,1 o f; inverted u-shapewhichoverlies the top o f there,a 1 end cover 14 when the latter is closed.Within` therear partl of the latch plate,` 5,1. are provided spacedlapertured bosses` 52 to receive erin 53.119911 which arepivoted e. Pairf 11pwardlyl extending ears 5,4 vigil-rich are formed at the rear end ofa relativelyA stit, leafspring 55. A` pair of ears 56 atthe, forwardend; ofthe'spring, 55 are` pivoted on a pin 5,7at regionsbetween .atpair of,spacedverticalbosses 8 formed at the-top of the rear end cover14, as-shown inF-.ise 5, aa@ 1.2.

the latch thhpldingthe cover 14. in` its'closed position,ashillustratel'inFig'.. 5, the. latch plate 5,1 overlies the element 35forming the top portion of the. cavity 36 and also the extreme end ofthe trim strip 26. Referring` now toFigs, Gand 9, it; will beseenthattheopposing'corners o f4 the laltdchmplate` 51, at, the forward endthereof, are provided witninwardly extendingflanges59 whichserveascatches or, clips tohold the rear end cover 14 against the rear endring`23 As best seen in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the latching clips 59.t overlugs 60 forming a keeper at theV top of the casing 11 at` the rear en dring 23.

At the top part oftherear end ring 23 are provided a pairof-spacedupright members 23C which form extensions of the sides oftheinverted Ushape trim strip 26 and whose top edges4 are inturned slightlyat 23d, as seen-in Fig. 8, to hold the element 35 in position. Theforwardends ofthe top inturned edges 23h are formed withtheiorwardlyprojecting parts or lugs 60 which are adapted. to bey engaged@ by thelatching clips 59.

Referring. to Figs. 61 and 7, it will be seen that the sidewallsofithetrim strip26 abut the upright parts 23C of therear endzring'23 at6l. The top corners ofV ther trirnI s trip26, atthe extreme rear endthereof, are notched at 62,l the, notches, being .formedA by removingmaterial bethA arabe,toptandidefwalls ofthe trim strip. Asseen:V

i in Fig. 8, the notches 62 form gaps 63 providing adequate clearancebetween the trim strip and lugs 60 to facilitate positioning the latchclips 59 into the gaps for engagement with the lugs.

In the unlatched position of the latch 50 the latch plate 51 is movableabout the pin 53 between the solid and dotted line positionsillustratedin Fig. 6. The latch plate 51 moves angularly about the forward pin 57when the latching clips 59 are inserted into the notches 62 forengagementl with the lugs 60, as illustrated in Fig. 7. Thereafter, therear part of the latch plate 51 is pushed downward against the shoulders64, which are illustrated in Fig. 12, to move the latch plate to theposition seen in Fig. 5 in which the rear end cover 14 is held tightlyagainst the rear end ring 23.

When the latch plate 51 is being moved downwardly in Fig. 7, it becomeseffective to resiliently hold the plate inthe position. illustrated in.Fig. 5 after the rear pin 53 rnoves through. a,V dead-center. p ositioncoinciding with a horizontally extending plane passing through the lugs`60, andtheforvllalrd` pin-57. Conversely, when the latch plate 51 is.lifted from: its lower position in Fig. 5, the tension. of,Y theVspringl 5,5, initially must be overcome by sufficient force tofraisethe, rear pin 53 upwardly past the dead-center position at` which thespring 55 becomes ineffective, to hold down the latch plate.

It will now be understood thatthe stiff leaf spring` 55 and latch plate51 form levers of a toggle latch, both of whichextendl inthe samedirectonltoward the end of the casing 11 fromA the pivotal connectionsat 53 whichY c onstitute the; knuckle of the toggle. When the rear enclcover 14 is in its latched position, as seen in Fig. 5, the knuckle o f;the toggle is under tension on the end cover.

In` accordancewith this invention, the rear end cover 14 forms agenerally spool-shaped cord-carrying structure 65 for` angelectrical cord 66. The cordecarrying structure 65;. includes a center4 portion; 67and end portions68 and 69 at opposite ends of the center portion whichextend` transversely ofl and; radially outward from the4 centerportion,4 as, shown in Fig. 5; With the rear end cover 1,4 init s closedposition, as seen in Fig, 2, the end p0rtion 68, nearer to the casing 11extends radially outward toward4 the rear end ringZB;` and serves as theouter part ofY the rear end` wall of suction cleaner 10. The centerportion 67 and end portion 69 together essentially form a` member whichisbellyshaped and flares outwardly from a central regionV 70 or'` thecordfcarrying structure 65 to the.. extreme outer end of theend portion69.

The cord-carrying structure 65 encircles the axis of the airdischargeopeningnor exhauStport- 21` with all parts.

thereof oflargervdi amete r than that` of the exhaust port,

as illustrated in Fig. 5. The rear end cover 14 is pro-.

vided` withacQllar or flange 71 which extends radially inward from thecenter portion 67 of thc cordcarrying structure 65 and ispiixed at itsinner peripheral edge to the hollow tubular part 44. Withthe rear endcover 14f in` its closed position, as seen in Fig. 2, the flange orcollar 71: serves as theY inner,` partV of the rear` end wall of thesuction cleaner 10. Hence, the rear endjwall of the cleaner, 10comprises. the, collar or ange 71 and the part of the cord-carryingstructure 65 at the left-hand side of,

theregion 7,0 to which` the outer periphery ofthe collar is fixed,asshown inFig. 5.

The part ofthe cord-'carrying' structure to the right of the region 70in Fig. 5"is spaced radially from the axis of the air` discharge openingor exhaust port 21. to form a passage 72 in the cordcarrying structurewhich is` `for example, which is adapted to heconnected to the outerfree end of the hose.

With-ttheelectrical-cord 66 Wound on the cord-carry- 'ing structure '65and the suction cleaner in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1,the cord 66 can be manually unwound without diiculty to connect a plug74 at the outer free end thereof to an outlet socket. When it is desiredto operate the cleaner, it is only necessary to grasp the plug 74 andwalk from the cleaner in a direction more or less in alignment with thecasing 11. In this way, successive turns of Ithe cord readily slip olfthe outer end portion 69 of the cord-carrying structure 65, so that thecord can be unwound in a continuous fashion. When the cleaner is not inuse, the cordcarrying structure 65 may Ibe used as a -base forsupporting the cleaner in an upright position.

When the cord 66 is wound on the cord-carrying structure 65, the plug 74at the outer free end of the cord may be fixed to a holder 75 providedat the top of the latch plate 51. shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the holder 75may comprise two pairs of spaced lugs 75a extending upwardly from thelatch plate 51. Each pair of spaced lugs 75a formsa clip forfrictionally holding a region of the cord when it is pushed downwardlyin the gap between vthe lugs, the cord usually -being provided with aninsulating covering formed of rubber or plastic, for example, which isresilient in character. As seen in Fig. 3, the two pairs of spaced lugs75a are disposed in a plane transverseto the axis of the spool-shapedcord-carrying structure 65. A

The inner end of the electrical cord 66 is cormected to the cleaner 10in s-uch a way that an electrical circuit will -be completed for themotor-fan unit 19 when the rear end cover 14 is closed and theswitch-operating member 32 is moved to close the switch 28. The coverplate 45, which desirably is formed of an insulating material likeplastic, for example, includes an arm or projecting part 76 at the toppart thereof, as best shown in Fig. 5. The part 76 which is formed witha pair of spaced recesses 77, as seen in Fig. 9, forms a Iterminal blockhaving resilient clips 78 in the recessed portions thereof which areengaged by the contact lingers 37 and 38 when the rear end cover 14 islatched tto the casing 11 and the cavity 36 receives the terminal block76.

As best shown in Fig. 14, the conductors 66a and 66b at the inner end ofthe electrical cord 66. are secured to the clips 78. The conductors 66aand 66h, which extend downwardly from the clips 78, tit in spacedvertically extending grooves 79 of a strain relief member 80 formed ofsuitable insulating material like plastic, for example. When the rearend cover 14 and cover plate 45 are secured together yby the fasteningscrews 47, the strain relief member 80 is clamped between these parts,as shown in Fig. 15. In such clamped position, the member 80 `bearsdirectly against the inner surface 81 of boss 82 formed at the top partof the outer wall member 14, as shown in Figs. l2 and 13, the uprightnarrower part 80a of the member 8l) projecting upwardly from theshoulders 64. The bottom wider part 8012 of the member 80 is clampedbetween the inner surface 81 of the boss 82 and a region of the rearface `of the closure plate 45 formed with vertical ribbing 83, as shownin Fig. 13. The wider part 80h of the member 80 is apertured to form ahollow bushing 80C which is slightly wider than the remaining portion ofpart Sb and extends through an opening 14a in the rear end cover 14, asindicated at 80d in Fig. l5. As shown in Figs. 6 and 9, an addi- -tionalfastening screw 84 is provided at the vicinity of the latch 50 forclamping -the strain relief member 80 between the rear `face of closureplate 45 and the nner surface of the rear end cover 14.

When the cord 66 is unwound from the spool-shaped cord-carryingstructure 65, the inner end thereof extends rearwardly through theopening 14a in the rear end cover. When the cord 66 is wound on thecord-carrying structure 65, the part of the cord adjacent the inner endthereof and projecting from the opening 14a in the rear 6 end cover 1.4`initially will be wound on the spool-shaped structure. This can bereadily accomplished in a continuous circular motion, the cord slippingthrough the hand which guides the cord and is employed to eiect suchcircular motion.

By providing a filter pad 49 in the space between the apertured 'endring wall 23a and rear end cover closure plate 45, all of the airflowing from the casing L1 will pass through the filter. Further, theiilter pad 49 is easily accessible for inspection and replacement byproviding the hinged rear end cover 14 and a quick releasable latch 50therefor. By providing the cord holder 75at the top of the latch plate51, the latch 50 can be readlly operated ito unlatch the rear end cover14 to inspect the filter pad 49 while the cord 66 is coiled about thecord-carrying vstructure 65 and the outer free end of the cord isattached to the cord holder 75.

While a. particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, such variations and modifications are contemplated as fallVwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention, as pointed ou-t inthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

- 1. In a horizontal tank-type suction cleaner, a shell having anopening, a motor-driven suction unit in said shell, an endV cover forclosing the opening kin said shell, said end cover comprising rst andsecond cooperating sections and means for removably securing themtogether, said rst section including a spool-shaped cord-carryingstructure disposed lengthwise of the cleaner at one end thereof and ahollow tubular member and a collar which extends radially inward fromsaid cord-carrying structure to said tubular member for supporting thelatter within said structure, said cord-carrying structure including atubular center portion and end portions at opposite ends of the centerportion which extend transversely of and radially outward from thecenter portion, said tubular member having an inlet and an exhaust portto which a hose is adapted to be connected for blowing air therethrough,said second section comprising a closure plate for said end cover whichis concealed Afrom view when the latter closes the opening, said closureplate having an aperture communicating with the inlet of said tubularmember and cooperating with said rst sectionto form a hollow interiortherebetween encircling said tubular member, an electrical cord normallywound on said structure when the cleaner is not in use, saidcord-carrying structure defining the end wall of the cleaner and havingan opening through which the inner end of said cord extends into thehollow interior, and a separable electrical connection including Ia rstelement on said shell connected to said motor and a cooperating secondelement at said closure plate connected tothe inner lend of said cord,said elements being connected to one another when said end coverispositioned on said shell to close the opening therein and separable whensaid end cover is moved from its closed position.

2. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1 which includes a strainrelief member for said cord at the inner end thereof, said strain reliefmember being disposed within said hollow interior and clamped Ibetweensaid cord-carrying structure and said closure plate.

3. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 2 in which said closure plateincludes means forming a terminal block, the second element of saidelectrical connection v being associated with said block, and saidstrain relief member being clamped between said cord-carrying structureand said terminal block.

4. A suction cleaner as set -forth in claim l including means forpivotally mounting said end cover for rocking movement on said shell toclose the open end thereof, releasable fastening means for latching thepivoted end cover in a closed position on said shell and releasing saidstructure to open the end of said shell, said shell having a perforateplate at the opening therein,

perforate plate cooperating with said apertured closure plate to form achamber therebetween when said` end cover is latched in its closedposition `by said fastening means, andV a glter pad mounted( in saidchamber and held in place between said perforate plate and said closureplate wherebyl the pivoted oord-carrying structure forming a part ofsaid end cover provides quick access to the chamber to inspect orreplace the lter pad.

5. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1rv includingL means `forpivotally mounting said end cover for rocking movement on saidv shellto. close the open end thereof, releasable` fastening means for latchingthe pivoted end; cover in a closed position on` saidv shell' andreleasing said structure to. open the end of said casing, said` releas-vable fastening means comprising latch mechanism including means on saidcasing providing a keeper and lever means pivotally mounted on saidcord-carrying structure and having a catch to engage said keeper, saidlever means including provisions. to detachably hold` the outer free endof said cord.

6. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 in which said lever meansincludes a first lever having said catch at one end thereof, a secondlever pivoted at one end to a region of said cord-carrying structure,the opposite ends of the levers being pivoted to one another to form aknuckle of a toggle latch from which `both levers extend in the samedirection toward the end of said shell when the catch engages thekeeper, the knuckle being under tension on said cord-carrying structurewhen the latteris in its latched position, said first lever beingprovided with said provisions to detachably hold the outer free end of'said cord.

7. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 6 in which said second levercomprises a Abowed leaf spring, the surface.` of the spring facing saidcord-carrying structure, when the latter isY in` its latched' position,being concave.

8. A suction cleaner as. set forth in claim 7 in which said first leveris-` disposedY at the top part of said cordcarrying structure, and saidprovisions to detachably hold the. outer free end' of said cord isprovided at the top surface of said first'A lever;

References-Cited in the le. of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,323,275 LofgrenY June 29, 1943 2,719,600 Brace Oct. 4, 1955.

2,810,114 Shaw. Oct. 15, 1957 2,848,731 T amarin Aug. 26, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 770,652 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1957 784,606 Great Britain Oct.9, 1957

